Publications — plantes indigènes

Seeds Fascinate Me! March 22, 2023 Ah, seeds! These tiny capsules of life, sometimes less than 0.5 mm in diameter, contain all the genetic material, the embryo, and the energy reserves needed for the reproduction of the parent plant. Some seeds have hard shells to withstand the rigors of the digestive system of animals that eat the fruits containing them, while others have air-filled coats that allow them to float to their destination.   Samaras or akenes equipped with aigrets can fly far from the parent plant to disperse, while other seeds have hooks that latch onto the fur of animals...

A native plant is a species that occurs naturally in a specific geographic region without human intervention. These plants have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in their environment and have adapted to the local climate, wildlife, and soil. Native plants are an essential part of the ecosystem and play a crucial role in maintaining nature's balance.

Published over 15 years ago by Douglas W. Tallamy, the book Bringing Nature Home highlights the inseparable link between native plant species and native wildlife. This call for natural landscaping and the use of native plants remains profoundly relevant today. A fresh reading reminds us that anyone with access to a plot of land or a backyard can make a meaningful contribution to preserving biodiversity.

March 15, 2022 Our land offers us beautiful native plants that play a crucial role in our ecosystems. However, urban sprawl, landscaping practices, and forestry activities continue to threaten and fragment their habitats.   A report published in the spring of 2018 by Canada's Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development highlighted the "significant decline" of critical ecosystems, including a major reduction in wetlands, natural prairies (now only a "fraction" of their original size), and deciduous forests. In some regions, more than 90% of these wooded areas have been altered by human activity.1   Yet, when it comes to planning their landscapes,...